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Russell-Verstappen war spirals out of control as Horner continues digs at rival Wolff, but FIA will NOT act

Russell-Verstappen war spirals out of control as Horner continues digs at rival Wolff, but FIA will NOT act

CHRISTIAN HORNER responded to Toto Wolff by saying: “I would rather be a terrier than a Wolff”.

The Mercedes boss unleashed his fury on Horner on Thursday by calling him a “yapping little terrier” amid the furious row between George Russell and Max Verstappen.

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Christian Horner showed there’s no puppy love lost with Toto WolffCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/

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Mercedes chief Wolff caught in rowCredit: Rex

It appeared he would escape any FIA sanctions following Russell’s allegations.

Horner made the most of it at Friday’s press conference, revealing he is a big fan of terriers and owns four, while aiming a cheeky dig at the Mercedes chief’s surname.

Two of them were even named Flavio and Bernie, probably in homage to former Renault boss Flavio Briatore and former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

The Red Bull boss, 51, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, said: “I love terriers, I think they are great dogs.

“I had four and a few Airedales, which are the king of terriers.

“I had a few West Highland Terriers called Bernie and Flavio. And the great thing about a terrier is that they are extremely loyal.

“Bernie, he was an aggressive little dog, he would attack anyone. Flavio, he was a little more relaxed and he probably ate a little too much too.

“But I think being called terrier is such a bad thing?” They are not afraid to take on bigger dogs.

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George Russell and Max Verstappen are still at loggerheadsCredit: Getty

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Horner then posted a photo of his terrier Bernie on Instagram to fan the flames.Credit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/

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“You know, it’s better to be a terrier than a wolf.”

Horner only continued to fan the flames by later posting an image of the Bernie terrier on his Instagram.

‘Full-time threat’ Lando Norris fans flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall’ with cheeky Instagram post

The war of words between Russell and Verstappen has dominated the build-up to the final Formula 1 race of the year.

But Wolff and Horner have been going head-to-head for years and have provided several viral moments on the hit Netflix show Drive to Survive.

The row reminds F1 fans of the pair’s bitter conflict in 2021, when Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert that year.

As for whether he fears the Verstappen-Russell feud could spill over onto the track this weekend, Horner added: “No, not at all.

“Max, he’s a very straight shooter. He just tells you exactly how he sees it. He tells exactly the truth, what he feels.

“Obviously he had a lot of frustration last weekend. The way things played out in a scenario we’ve never seen before and the grid penalty that followed.

“He turned that into motivation and got off to a flying start, led the race to the first corner and won the Grand Prix, which is the best possible answer.

“Now, obviously, there was a lot of talk about it on Thursday. It’s pantomime season, we’re getting ready for Christmas. There may be an element of end-of-term depression there, but I don’t think it will have any effect.”

As Hamilton prepares for his final race with Mercedes this weekend before joining Ferrari for the 2025 season, Horner said Wolff should focus elsewhere.

He added: “It has to depend on what you do on the track. I mean, there’s sort of a love-hate relationship, where I think Toto loves to hate me.

“It’s one of those things. I would have assumed he kind of had a little more to do, because this is obviously Lewis’ last race for this team.

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Horner and his wife Geri Horner are animal loversCredit: https://www.instagram.com/gerihalliwellhorner/

“I think they should celebrate that rather than focusing on other aspects.”

Wolff, who organized Russell’s press conference on Thursday to criticize Horner, also said the Red Bull boss had been too “weak” to properly control Verstappen.

Horner hit back and said: “Regarding Toto’s other comments, I’m not going to take the bait. Everyone manages themselves and their teams in different ways.

“We won 122 races. We have won 14 world championships. I think we are doing well.

Verstappen is set to escape any further punishment from the stewards, despite reportedly saying he would put Russell’s “f***ing head in the wall” in Qatar.

Stewards are not prepared to investigate the serious allegations made by Russell on Thursday ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The 26-year-old Briton claimed Verstappen threatened to put his “f****** head into the wall” by deliberately crashing into him during last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.

Mercedes star Russell also branded the four-time world champion a “tyrant”, with the Dutchman hitting back calling him a “traitor” and a “loser”.

Russell and Verstappen feud dissipates with duo sitting at opposite ends of the table at driver’s dinner

Eyebrows have been raised at the FIA’s lack of intervention, given that it has recently cracked down so harshly on sanctions for swearing.

In Singapore, Red Bull’s Verstappen was ordered by FIA commissioners to “perform work in the public interest” after dropping the F-bomb to describe his car.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been fined for saying “f***” during a post-race press conference in Mexico.

The feud between Russell and Verstappen continues to simmer with the duo sitting at opposite ends of the table at the drivers’ dinner on Thursday evening.

Lewis Hamilton invited the drivers before his final race at Mercedes, while his former teammate Valtteri Bottas received the bill.

Norris wrote on Instagram: “Dinner 2024! and yes, the two you are thinking of were sitting as far away from each other as possible.

He followed the post with a crying emoji and a smiling emoji while Verstappen commented with a steak emoji, hinting at the beef with Russell.

Verstappen was all smiles yesterday, blocking out the drama to announce that he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.

He said: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.”